Toothbrush holder



April. 8, 1947. s BARNA TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Filed Au 24, 1945 INVENTOR. STEPHEN L. BARNA CW/W I ATTOR N EYE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Stephen L. Barna, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 24, 1945, Serial No. 612,410

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to household devices and has particular reference to a device for holding toothbrushes.

An object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush holder which may be mounted on the wall of a bathroom, or other suitable place, and which is adapted to hold a plurality of individual toothbrushes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated, which is adapted to hold a plurality of individual toothbrushes so that they are sanitarily protected from dust and dirt and so that they are readily accessible for use at all times.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated, which is constructed and arranged so that each individual toothbrush housing may be readily attached to, or removed from, the base plate.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings forming part of the Within disclosure in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which an individual toothbrush is supported in each housing.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, my improved device consists of a base plate 5, which is preferably made of a plastic material, and which has a cross section substantially as shown in Fig. 2. The base plate 5 is adapted to be secured to the wall, or any other object, by means of screws'B, which extend through suitable apertures formed therein. The

base plate 5, Figs. 1 and 2, is also provided with apertures l, which are adapted to receive the fasteners 8, whereby the individual toothbrush housings 9 are mounted to the base plate 5. The

. plate 5 is adapted to accommodate a plurality of individual toothbrush housings 9.

The housings 9 are preferably made of plastic material, and may be made in different colors so that the toothbrush of one individual may be distinguished from that of another. The individual housings 9 may have any predetermined shape consistent with the contours of the toothbrushes intended to be accommodated.

The housings 9 have a back wall l0, top ll 1, side walls l2 and I3, and a front wall M, which is foreshortened as shown in Fig. 2, and is adapted to support the spring-hinged gate member l5, which is mounted thereto by a flat spring I6, which is apertured as at I! (Fig. 3) to accommodate bosses l8, formed on the inside of the wall I 4 and ate l5.

The gate l5 has an inturned foot I9, having a cross-sectional area substantially as shown in Fig. 2. The foot 19 of the gate l5 extends inwardly a distance approximately one-half the depth of the housing 9, and is adapted to serve as a rest for the bristles of the toothbrush 20, which is inserted from the bottom into the housing 9.

When the brush 29 enters the housing 9 at the bottom, the bristles of the brush ride against the inclined surface of the foot I 9, causing the gate I 5 to swing outwardly, as shown by the dotted lines. When the brush is completely encased in the housing 9, the gate l5 resumes its normal position as shown in Fig. 2. The toothbrush may be removed from the housing 9 simply by pulling downwardly on the handle of the brush, whereupon the bristles again cause the gate l5 to swing outwardly to release the brush.

The device is constructed and arranged so that the housing 9 may be removed from the plate 5, and may be transported with the brush 20 to to protect the brush while the owner is traveling, and may be reinstalled on the base plate 5, or any similar base plate with which the parts are interchangeable.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, means on said base plate for accommodating the fastening means of individual removable brush housings, and a plurality of brush housings secured to said plate, each housing comprising a closure for the head of a brush, and each housing having a hinged member with means thereon for supporting a brush, said last-named means including an inturned foot with inclined surfaces, which, upon forceful contact of a brush, causes the outward movement of said hinged member.

2. In a, device of the character described, the combination of a base plate, means on said base plate for accommodating the fastening means of individual removable brush housings, and a plurality of brush housings secured to said plate,

3 each housing comprising a closure for the head of a. brush, and each housing having a hinged member with means thereon for supporting a brush, said last-named means including an inturned foot with inclined surfaces, which, upon 5 forceful contact of a brush, causes the outward movement of said hinged member, there being spring means for normally holding said hinged member in closed position.

STEPHEN L. BARNA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,079,618 Tayne Nov. 25, 1913 1,458,566 Welpley June 12, 1923 1,257,860 Hennen Feb. 26, 1918 

